FAQ

An Honors application is separate from a Clarkson admission application and consists of an application data sheet and:

• An essay that addresses the student's qualifications for the Honors Program;
• A letter of recommendation that is specific to the Honors Program; and
• An interview that may be scheduled in person or by phone and, typically, occurs when the student's Honors application is complete.

Honors applications are available from:

• The Honors Office, Marcy Wilcox at 315-268-2290 or mwilcox@clarkson.edu
• Your admission representative at the Admission Office at 800-527-6577
• Or online, by clicking here.

Approximately 130 - 150 students apply for a class of 30 students.

The Honors Program has its own admission committee consisting of five professors from a variety of departments. While the admission committee looks at such factors as class rank, advance placement courses taken, grades on regents exams, Board scores, and extracurricular activities, it is especially concerned with the qualities that enable students to thrive in the Honors Program. They are:

• Love of learning
• Intellectual curiosity
• Initiative
• Motivation
• Ability to handle risk and uncertainty
• Strong work ethic
• Or other outstanding qualities that qualify them for the program

No, typically Honors classes replace classes in the Foundation Curriculum (courses that all students take regardless of major). These courses focus on current and emerging problems in science, technology, and society.

Professors from all areas of study on campus are invited to submit proposals. The proposals themselves are evaluated by the Honors Council, the group of faculty and students who serve as the board of directors for the program. Students, who will take the prospective class, are also polled for their reactions and comments on the submitted proposals.

It depends on the class. Honors professors are advised to plan a workload that is equivalent to an upper-level class in one's major.

Yes, many Honors students are varsity athletes or carry similar time demanding out-of-class activities. They have been national championship athletes, campus newspaper editors, leading ladies and leading men in campus theater productions, and SPEED team captains among other things.

Yes, in fact we encourage students to take advantage of these kinds of opportunities. Some of the most interesting Honors theses have resulted from these experiences.

No, the Honors students voted to have the same housing as all other students, though many will choose roommates from the Honors Program.

The Honors Program coordinates fun activities like Ben & Jerry's nights and takes trips to such places as Washington, D.C.; Montreal; and Toronto.

Ninety-four percent of Honors students graduate from Clarkson within four years. The majority graduates with an Honors degree.

Honors students have the opportunity to work on a research project on campus in the summer before their freshman year, and subsequent summers, including after their senior year. Honors students receive funding for room, board, and research supplies for summer research. Also, a senior thesis project is required for completion of the program.

Yes, every Honors student receives an Honors Scholarship of $2,000 per year, and for students accepted into the program, we work with the Financial Aid office and the families on an individual basis for other merit scholarships and need-based assistance.

They have done exceedingly well. They have been accepted to prestigious graduate schools like MIT and Cal Tech and many have been awarded graduate fellowships. Similarly, they receive multiple job offers from top companies like GE, IBM and Procter & Gamble.